Arch support for the human feet



Jam 9 5- 111,523,469

c. s. YOUNG ET AL ARCH SUPPORT FOR THE HUMAN FEET Filed June 9, 19 23 C/mr/m B. Marlin.

Czar/es 83/01117 and Y Fetented Jan. EU,

l is in a htrg CHARLES S. YOUNG AND CHARLES B. MARTIN, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

ARCH SUPPORT FOR THE HUMAN FEET.

Application filed June 9,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES S. YOUNG and CHARLES E. MARTIN, citizens of the United States, and residents. of the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Arch Supports for the Human Feet, of which the following-is a specification.

Ourinvention relates to arch supports for the human foot, and pertains more particularly to improvements in the common type of arch support which is intended to be inserted in the shoe.

It will be understood in the consideration of this invention that the human foothas two arches; the longitudinal arch and the transverse arch; the latter often requiring attention and correction alone, or

co-incidentally with the former. While the human foot is performing its normal functions, as in walking, the foot may be said to bend at a point slightly forward of the point where the longitudinal arch intersects or fades into the transverse arch. Such is particularly the case .where the mode of walk'ng and the functioning of the foot are corr ct. We have found that to obtain best results and to provide maximum relief and cure, due consideration must be given to jointly supporting the transverse arch and the longitudinal arch in a manner to allow the foot to function properly and bend at the above mentioned point.

It is therefore one of the objects of this invention to provide an arch support which will support both of the arches of the human .foot while allowing the foot to function 4 properly. Incidentally it is another object of the invention to provide an arch support,'in conformance with the first named object, that will I provide for 'maximum comfort.

When the regular old type metal arch support is used to support both arches, particularly when the patient wears low shoes, the heel of the footis caused tc be raised with each step. This is due to weight being thrown upon the forward end of the rigid metal arch. The result is general discomfort to the wearer, and rapid abrasion of the hosiery.

It is therefore another object of our invention to provide an arch support which will not tend to rise at the heel end.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction in arch supports, in con- 1923. Serial No. 644,447.

formance' with the above mentioned objects, whereby those skilled in the art may, by carrying a limited stock of parts, readily make up an arch support to fit any specific condition or prescription.

It will also be understood in the consideration of our invention that while metal is employed, and is in fact almost essential in forming a support for the longitudinal arch, that less rigid substances are required for supporting the transverse arch. As a result of this requirement, many more or less improvised methods of building upa support for the transverse arch are resorted to. -The methods include such practices as padding the forward end of the envelope, used to contain the metal support for the longitudinal arch, with felt, scraps of leather, or the like. We have found such practice unscientific and uncertain, particularly inasmuch as such padding tends to become vcompressed out of shape, and even dislodged, with resulting discomfort to the'wearer, defeating the very purpose for which it is provided.

It is therefore another and highly important object of our invention to provide a support for jointly supporting both arches, in which the part serving to support and correct the transverse arch will be sufficiently yildable, while resisting undue compression, and which will be securely held in correct position at all times against forces tending to dislodge it, while providing for, comfort. and normal functioning of the foot.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support of the above described character which may be made up of stock parts, each of which may be shaped by one skilled in the art; and assembled with the other part to provide a substantially long lived support in which either part may be renewed or substituted by a similar part if required.

Another and important object of theinvention is to provide an arch support which will occupy substantially in full all the normal cavities of the human foot. It will be understood that where the transverse arch and the longitudinal arch intersect a peculiar concavity results. This concavity, generally speaking, is substantially egg shaped, or in other words, resembles an ellipse which is more blunt at one end than the other. l'lhis normal concavity varies Nil - considerably in exact dimensions and outline, but the above description applies generally.

In all types of arch supports now 1n use it is practically impossible to properly pro vide for completely filling in a scientific manner the said concavity. It is generally conceded, and as such we have found the best practice, that the support of the longitudinal arch should extend well into the metatarsal region. Now if a support for the transverse arch is placed forwardly of the last named support, then the rear portion of the said concavity will not be properly filled. It is practically impossible, and highly impractical to build up the support for the longitudinal arch in a way to cause it to fill the rear portion of said cavity; particularly inasmuch as said concavity fades into the other contours of the foot so gradually.

It is therefore another object of the invention to provide a simple and inexpensive construction whereby an arch support may be economically made to carry out all the above mentioned objects.

Still other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter and will be better understood by virtue of their occurrence.

Ve have illustrated our invention by the accompanying drawings, in which drawings we have illustrated two different embodiments. It is understood, however, that the two embodiments are shown only by way of example, inasmuch as we anticipate that numerous other embodiments will suggest themselves to the minds of those skilled in the art. Therefore we do not limit ourselves to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown in the drawings,

and we may alter the constructions and arrangements of parts as we desire, or as oocasion requires, without enlarging the scope of our invention, within the appended claims.

In the said drawings;

Figure 1. is a plan view of thelongitudinal-arch support which we employ in the preferred embodiment of our invention.

Figure 2. is a plan view of the support shown in Fig. 1 operatively associated with our improved transverse-arch support.

Figure 3, is a view in section seen on a line 8-3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4, is a plan view of a slightly modified form of the transverse-arch support shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Figure 5, is a view in section similar to Fig. 3, showing another; form of our invention.

More specifically, reference being had particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, 8 indicates a support for the longitudinal arch of the human foot. Said support may be of any of the usual constructions, and any of the customary materials may be employed in its construction, but in the form of the invention which we are now describing the said support comprises a single blank of sheet metal properly formed. It is understood that stock forms of this type may be obtained on the market and those skilled in the art re-shape such stock forms to specification. Metal arch supports of this type, for supporting the longitudinal arch, are well known and no further description is deemed necessary.

by two spaced abutment edges 11 and 12.

and a rear edge 13.

Our nnproved support for the transverse arch, to be employed in conyunction with support- 8.'is indicated by numeral 14. and

is shown in Fig. 2. operatively associated with support 8. Preferably support 14 is constructed of leather. inasmuch as leather provides suitable resiliency and pliability. while resisting undue compression. Leather also is well suited for the purpose, as it may be readily carved into the required; form.

The lower surface 15. of support 14 is substantially flat since it is this surface that will rest upon the insole of the shoe (not shown) in which the complete arch support is to be inserted in the customary manner. The upper surface 16 is slightly convex. both along the longitudinal and transverse median lines thereof; the degree of convexity along either of both median lines depending of course upon the specifications.

The outline, or form, in elevation, of support 14 depends upon the degrees of convexity of the median lines thereof, con sidered in conjunction with the size of'thc complete arch support. In other words, the support 14 is shaped to fit on to what is intended to be the natural concavity of the transverse arch of the patients foot. Therefore all edges. such as at 18, are sharp, and the termination or end 19, of the support is substantially pointed.

In conformance with one of the salient features" of our invention. the rear portion of support 14 is bifurcated by a slot 21. which parallels the bottom plane surface and terminates as at 22: the termiantion of said slot conforming to the forward edge 13.

of support 8.

In Fig. 4, we have illustrated a modified construction for support 14:. In carrying out said construction, two pieces, 23 and 24, of suitable material are provided. These pieces are secured together as by transverse stitching The portions forward of the stitching are preferably cemented together to forin a single piece, while the rear-portions are left separated so that the slot'21 is provided.

In the application and operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to inelusive. support 14 is associated with support 8, by introducing the forward end of support 8 to the slot in support 14. It will be apparent, by virtue of the construction of support 14, that either-of the portions thereof which are separated by the slot will bend most readily at the point where the slot terminates. \Vhen the support 14 is associated with support 8 in the manner shown, it may be said of the former that it is hingedly connected to the latter. Therefore the-complete arch support 1, will tend to bend along the line represented by the termination of the slot.

\Vhen the foot, to .which the arch support' is app-lied, is functioning, as in walking, the arch support will bend as required. When, in walking, weight is thrown on the forward end of the foot. and therefore partially upon support 14, the support 8 will not tend to rise in the heel of the shoe, inasmuch as there is no rigid connection between the said supports.

Since the support 14: fits snugly between the op osed edges 11 and 12, of support 8, the said transverse arch support is held against lateral displacement relative to the longitudinal arch support. Normally both supports properly assembled are encased in a thin envelope (not shown) of pliable material, such as leather; such encasement of arch supports being common practice inthe art. The portion of the support 14, which lies below the slot, acts as a cushion and rest for the metal end of the support 14, and, while adding resiliency to the support as a whole, provides against the metal' edge abraiding any material with which it comes in contact.

Should it not be desirable to encase the complete support in an envelope of the type generally employed, support 14 may be attached to the support 8 in the manner illus- .trated in Fig. 5. In the embodiment illustrated by said figure, support 14 may be constructed in any suitable manner in conformance with the invention, but is here shown as being similar in construction with the support shown in Fig. 2. The rear end 27, of the upper piece of which the support is constructed, is shown secured to support 8, by a single rivet 28, well sunk into the leather. It will be apparent that in this embodiment the termination of the slot in and long Wearing arch support, and the most salient feature of the invention resides in hingedly connecting the support for the transverse arch to the support of the longitudinal arch, and any construction for so connecting the supports comes within the scope of our invention.

We claim: a

1. In an arch support for supporting both the longitudinal and transverse arches of the human foot. a posterior plate arched to conform to the longitudinal arch extending rearwardly to terminate below the heel bone, said plate being of such rigidity throughout its structure and so conforming to the shoe for which it is intended that it will resist buckling as well as rearward and lateral dislodgment; the forward edge of said plate being disposed to terminate at a point intermediate of the heads of the metatarsal bones and the bases of the meta tarsal bones, and below and substantially midway of the concavity formed by the intersection of the longitudinal arch and the transverse arch, a pad of pliant material shaped to occupy said concavity and extending rearwardly' to terminate at the point where the transverse arch merges into the longitudinal arch, and a slot provided in said pliant pad on a normal horizontal plane intersecting the rear end of the pad and extending forwardly a suitable distance; the forward end of said posterior plate being inserted in said slot whereby the rear portion of said pad underlying the slot serves to support and cushion said plate while the portion of the pad above said slotlies detachably upon the forward noper surface of said plate.

2. In an arch support for suppoi ting both the longitudinal and transverse arches of the human foot, a posterior plate arched to conform to the longitudinal arch extending rearwardly to terminate below the heel bone; said plate being of such rigidity throughout its structure and so conforming to the shoe for which it is intended that it will resist buckling as well as rearward and lateral dislodgment; the forward edge of said plate being dis osed to terminate at a point intermediate 0 the heads of the metatarsal bones and the bases of the metatarsal bones, and below and substantially midway of the concavity formed by the intersection of the longitudinal arch and the transverse arch, a pad of pliant material shaped to occupy said concavity and extending rear-v wardly to terminate at the point where the transverse arch merges into the longitudinal arch, and a slot provided in said pliant pad on a normal horizontal plane intersecting the rear end of the pad and extending forwardly a suitable distance, to terminate in a transverse abutment margin; the said posterior plate being so associated with the pliant pad that the forward edge of said posterior pad will be held in abut ment with said margin by forces acting to rearwardly dislodge said pad.

3. In an arch support for supporting both the longitudinal and transverse arches of the human foot, a pad of pliant material shaped to occupy substantially in full the concavity existing at the intersection of the transverse arch and the longitudinal arch;

mamas said pad being provided with a slot extending on a horizontal plane intersecting the rear end of the pad and terminating about midway thereof, and a metal posterior plate arched for the longitudinal arch of the said plate of such length that the forward end will terminate about midway of the metatarsal bones; the forward end of said plate being inserted in said slot; whereby the rigid posterior plate is cushioned on the part of-the pliant pad which underlies the slot, while the portion above the slot provides an eminence or support for exerting restorative pressure on the intersecting arches of the foot.

CHARLES S. YOUNG.

CHARLES E. MARTIN. 

